lonesome

[ lohn-suhm ]

adjective

1. depressed or sad because of the lack of friends, companionship, etc.; lonely:

   to feel lonesome.

2. attended with or causing such a state or feeling:

   a lonesome evening at home.

3. lonely or deserted in situation; remote, desolate, or isolated:

   a lonesome road.

lonesome

/ ˈləʊnsəm /

adjective

1. another word for lonely

noun

1. on one's lonesome or by one's lonesome informal.
   on one's own

Derived Forms

• ˈlonesomely, adverb
• ˈlonesomeness, noun

Other Words From

• lonesome·ly adverb
• lonesome·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lonesome¹

First recorded in 1640–50; lone + -some ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on / by one's lonesome, Informal. alone: Also Scot., by one's lane.

   She went walking by her lonesome.

Synonym Study

See alone.

Example Sentences

Driving around after dark is a lonesome experience, the eerie consequence of what many label a “voluntary” curfew.

From Los Angeles Times

On one particular evening, days before Sam’s birthday — a date that looms large in the life of this lonesome duo — Amelia reads from a book she’s never seen before on the shelf.

From Los Angeles Times

Shy himself is movingly human — full of vim but also lonesome and afraid.

From Los Angeles Times

In the years since he and fellow "Daily Show" alum Steve Carell closed down "The Office," Helms has appeared in numerous films and TV series without quite landing on a long-term project, and also become a regular on the bluegrass circuit playing banjo, guitar and piano with his band the Lonesome Trio.

From Salon

The actor, who also was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in 1989’s “Lonesome Dove,” recently talked about her experience with The Envelope:

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deserted
• desolate
• homesick
• isolated
• lonely